Album Review: Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn

Year Released: 1967.

Rating: ★★★★★

"This is Syd Barrett's psychedelic masterpiece."

Pink Floyd's debut album has a story of its own. Frontman Syd Barrett was the creative mind behind it, and the entire recording reflected on his mental state at the time. "Astronomy Domine" shows the band's pop side. "Lucifer Sam" follows its path and it is indeed a catchy song, Syd excelled in his guitar riffs and lyricism. Being a bit weird and childish at times, talking about bikes and gnomes. Some of the tracks, show his imminent nervous breakdown due to his heavy use of LSD, which would later lead him to leave the band shortly after the album's release. The instrumental masterpiece "Interstellar Overdrive", uses distorted sounds and effects which give it a true feeling to what music may feel like while taking hallucinogenic drugs. Truly a strange, but beautiful piece of music. Other songs follow a similar style, and do not disappoint. Barrett will definitely be remembered for his talent, and Pink Floyd will never be the same without it.

Track Listing:

1.  "Astronomy Domine" - 4:12
2.  "Lucifer Sam" - 3:07
3.  "Matilda Mother" - 3:08
4.  "Flaming" - 2:46
5.  "Pow R. Toc H." - 4:26
6.  "Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk" - 3:05
7.  "Interstellar Overdrive" - 9:41
8.  "The Gnome" - 2:13
9.  "Chapter 24" - 3:42
10. "Scarecrow" - 2:11
11. "Bike" - 3:21

Early Pink Floyd performing an extended version of "Interstellar Overdrive".